The official newsflash of Don Bosco Youth-Net ivzw

NF 124 (January 2012)

News from the network - News from the partners - European Youth Forum

Calls & Public information - Picture of the Month 

NEWS FROM THE NETWORK

Generations of Participation

Generations of Participation is a Transnational Youth Seminar aiming at mainstreaming good practices in ‘youth participation' existing within the Worldwide Don Bosco Movement. Over 170 years people of all ages have voluntarily participated in educating young people to become active citizens. The educational system of Don Bosco on which this learning process is based, was created against the political background of the formation of the state of Italy. Don Bosco Youth-Net ivzw translates this educational system to the present political context of the formation of the European Union. Once our young people reach adulthood they are active in all sectors of society (educational, social, political, economical, juridical, cultural). In the past many of them decided to combine their adult life with an ongoing voluntary engagement within the Don Bosco Movement. Amongst the current generation this tradition has faded. This project will set-up an intergenerational dialogue between young volunteers, older volunteers and policy makers.

More info: http://www.donboscoyouth.net/node/783 [2]

"Looking back and....forward!" - Evaluating 10 years of European cooperation

10 years ago different youth organisations in Europe decided to build a network, to improve the cooperation in the field of youth work at European level. This Network, better known as "Don Bosco Youth Net" has been growing up during the years and offered to many young people in Europe chances to show active participation in different fields like youth democracy, training activities, voluntary service. The heart of the network is represented by its trainers and facilitators: at the moment 36 young people completed a training programme in 3 steps, in order to acquire skills and competences to start being active as youth trainers in international projects. These trainers prepare and implement youth projects for the network all over Europe on a voluntary base: youth exchanges, training courses, seminars, support of Group EVS activities are only some examples of their engagement for the network. Most of these projects have benn started thanks to the support of the Youth in Action programme. After 10 years of good team work at Euroepan level it's time to evaluate the past years' activities, especially looking forward to the near future.

More info: http://www.donboscoyouth.net/node/796 [3]

NEWS FROM THE PARTNERS

Meeting of Don Bosco Volunteers in Benediktbeuern

Also this year started with a traditional meeting of Don Bosco Volunteers in Benediktbeuern. Around 40 former international volunteers met at the Aktionszentrum to exchange ideas and to get informed about the developments of the Don Bosco movement at local and at international level.

More info: http://www.donboscoyouth.net/node/795 [4]

Symposium on Recognition of NFE

From 14th to 16th November, took place at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg a Symposium on recognition of youth work and non-formal learning, in which took part Ángel Gudiña, representing Confederación Don Bosco and also Don Bosco Youth Net; as anyone else could attend this important meeting; andsettle a stand with promotional materials of both Organizations.

More info: http://www.donboscoyouth.net/node/793 [5]

My first COMEM

From 17th to 20th November, took place in Braga, in the North of Portugal the Council of Members of the European Youth Forum (YFJ), to whom DBYN belongs as an observer member. As representative of a Don Bosco organization is a great chance to get to know other European realities, both Youth Councils and Youth Organizations, and at the same time share what young people working in Don Bosco style thinks.

More info: http://www.donboscoyouth.net/node/792 [6]

The SYM prepares for the WYD 2013

In Brazil the Cross and the Marian Icon of World Youth Day have been on pilgrimage since 18 September In 23 months they will pass through over two hundred dioceses, more cities, involving thousands of young people, and so 200 million people will be able to begin their preparation for the great event of WYD in Rio de Janeiro in July 2013.

More info: http://www.infoans.org/1.asp?sez=1&sotSez=13&doc=7393&Lingua=2 [7]

Project for Europe: an enquiry concerning the migration situation

Recently an enquiry has been launched which will throw light on the migration situation in Europe with special reference to Salesian centres and their pastoral activities. The results of the enquiry which is being carried out in the context of the Project for Europe, will be examined late in the year at the next meeting of the Provincials of Europe planned for 29 November to 1° December 2012.

More info: http://www.infoans.org/1.asp?sez=1&sotSez=13&doc=7392&Lingua=2 [8]

The hidden work behind voluntary service

With the approach of the end of 2011, the European Year of Voluntary Service, and recalling Salesian Missions Day 2011 dedicated to Missionary Voluntary Service, we are publishing an open letter from the coordinator of the BOVA Salesian programme.

More info: http://www.infoans.org/1.asp?sez=1&doc=7336&Lingua=2 [9]

EUROPEAN YOUTH FORUM

First draft Strategic Priorities 2013-2018 + SAVE THE DATE: face to face consultation 2nd February 2012

The European Youth Forum bases its current work on the Strategic Priorities that were adopted in 2006 and cover the six-year period between the beginning of 2007 and the end of 2012. In order to ensure continuity of work beyond the time when the current cycle expires and to base the next work-plan discussions on the new strategic priorities, we agreed to adopt the new cycle of strategic priorities at the spring 2012 Extraordinary General Assembly. The Board kicked-off a long consultation process back in May 2011 to ensure that this transition flows smoothly and that the new Strategic Priorities will reflect the needs and interests of its Member Organisations by allowing enough time for brainstorming and discussing about this and provide members with as many opportunities for input and exchange as possible. As you can see in thetimeline box in the attached document, we finalised the broad brainstorming phase at the Braga COMEM/ExGA and based on all the inputs and discussions, we hereby present you the first draft document of the Strategic Priorities 2013-18.

More info: http://intranet.youthforum.org/newsletters/node/24937 [10]

CALLS & PUBLIC INFORMATION

EU calls for immediate action to drive down youth unemployment

The new 'Youth Opportunities Initiative', adopted by the Commission, calls on Member States to work on preventing early school leaving; helping youngsters develop skills relevant to the labour market; ensuring work experience and on-the-job training and helping young people find a first good job. The Commission is also urging Member States to make better use of the European Social Fund which still has €30billion of funding uncommitted to projects. In addition, the Commission has put forward a set of concrete actions to be financed directly by EU funds.

More info: http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=89&newsId=1143&furtherNews=yes [11]

Important changes in Youth in Action in 2012

The summary of the main changes to the Youth in Action programme for 2012 can be found on our page now. It contains information about: new application deadlines, annual priorities, Eastern Partnership Youth Window, simplified funding rules, new partnership agreements, electronic application forms, multimeasure applications.

More info: http://www.salto-youth.net/rc/see/seeyia/2012changes/ [12]

European Citizenship Training Course in Belgium-FR

The ECTC supports youth workers and youth leaders developing their critical understanding of European Citizenship and encourage them to integrate the topic in their practical work. (Activity date: 14-20 May, Deadline to apply: 2 February 2012)

More info: http://www.salto-youth.net/tools/european-training-calendar/training/european-citizenship-in-youth-work-training-course-in-belgium.2316/ [13]

BiTriMulti (BTM) - Multilateral Training Course for Newcomers in Youth in Action -Youth exchanges

Newcomer training on Youth Exchanges by the network of National Agencies is open for applicants from South East Europe. (Activity date: 17-21 April 2012 - Deadline to apply: 8 February 2012)

More info: http://www.salto-youth.net/tools/european-training-calendar/training/bitrimulti-btm-netherland-multilateral-training-course-for-newcomers-in-youth-in-action-action-1-1.2314/ [14]

Training Course on Roma Inclusion in Bulgaria

A training course for youth workers and Youth leaders willing to promote the Youth in Action programme as an instrument for Inclusion of Roma communities all over Europe. The training will gather youth workers, youth leadets and young people from Roma communities in order show them the specific methods and techniques used in the international Youth in Action Projects. (Activity date: 24-29 February 2012, Deadline to apply: 29 January 2012)

More info: http://www.salto-youth.net/tools/european-training-calendar/training/roma-inclusion-tc.2332/ [15]

SOHO - European Training Course for EVS Support People

International training for those who are directly involved in the support system around the volunteer (mentors and task-related support persons) on the hosting, sending and coordinating side in the European Voluntary Service (EVS) - Action 2. The training course is designed for those who are directly involved in the support system around the EVS volunteer (mentors and task-related support persons) on the hosting, sending and coordinating side. The participants from Sending and Hosting organisations should already have some experience in EVS (minimum of being in the process of sending or hosting a volunteer, better having been already sending or receiving the first volunteer). (Activity date: 31 March - 4 April 2012 - Deadline to apply: 7 February 2012)

More info: http://www.salto-youth.net/tools/european-training-calendar/training/soho-in-france-european-training-course-for-evs-support-people.2319/ [16]

The Sky is the Limit - An Interactive Guide for Youth Projects on Interfaith Dialogue

Following a successful Interfaith Dialogue training in the UK in April 2011, SALTO Cultural Diversity have developed and published an interactive guide for youth workers to enable them to explore ideas about how to bring interfaith dialogue into their youth projects. The Sky is the Limit includes: An introduction to faith and interfaith dialogue, Interactive exercises to stimulate reflection and planning, Case studies, best practice, and methods from other interfaith projects, Approaches and practical tips on how to facilitate dialogue.

More info: http://www.salto-youth.net/rc/cultural-diversity/publications/theskyisthelimit/ [17]

Urban Solutions Seminar (Birmingham, May 2012): Call for Participants

This seminar will bring different stakeholders together to discuss current realities for young people in urban areas, the social challenges they face, and how to overcome these. Discussions at the seminar will feed in to a publication/research document, which will give an overview of the current situation across Europe, policy documents, best practices, and recommendations for ways forward.

More info: http://www.salto-youth.net/tools/european-training-calendar/application-procedure/2350/ [18]

A Youth Knowledge book online !

"Inequality limits young people's chances in life. Yet equality is the basis of democracy and Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights secures the rights and freedoms of the young "without discrimination on any ground". Research shows that inequality - in opportunities, wealth or health, for example - is widespread in Europe and that the citizens of richer countries do not necessarily have healthier profiles than those of poorer countries. The citizens of egalitarian countries, on the other hand, have the highest life expectancy. This book examines many aspects of inequality and opportunity for young people including schooling, employment, social exclusion, labour migration, trafficking, disability, cultural and religious discrimination, youth work, and opposition and resistance."

More info: http://youth-partnership-eu.coe.int/youth-partnership/news/news_226.html [19]

Proposal for the new programme: Erasmus for All

On Nov 23, 2011, the European Commission published the proposal for the integrated programme of training, education, youth and sports, for years 2014-2020. Hereby we present a little overview of the relevant documents and processes. We hope this supports a better understanding of what is being proposed, and the possible arguments regarding the proposal. The page will be constantly updated when new developments appear.

More info: http://www.salto-youth.net/about/yiayouthpolicy/erasmus-for-all/ [20]

!! the EU-CoE youth partnership on facebook !!

That's it ! The partnership between the European Commission and the Council of Europe in the field of youth is on facebook. Join us !!

More info: http://youth-partnership-eu.coe.int/youth-partnership/news/news_317.html [21]

PICTURE OF THE MONTH

Click on the picture for the "Generations of Participation" promo video:

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